Gritty Zambia Conquer Africa In Honour Of Departed Heroes

Skipper Katongo with Africa Cup of Nations trophy

The Chipolopo (Copper Bullets) of Zambia won an emotional first ever Nations Cup trophy after stopping favourites, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire,8-7 on penalties at the Stade l’Amitie in Gabon as Didier Drogba wasted his second penalty in the tournament.

The Chelsea star threw away a 68th- minute doubtful kick awarded by Senegalese referee, Diatta Badara, which could have carried the day for the Ivorians who won their only Nations Cup in 1992.

Stoppila Sunzu became an instant hero after converting his last kick after Arsenal star, Gervinho wasted his for Cote d’Ivoire.

The Zambians became the 14th country to win the AFCON on a soil that claimed an 18-member squad of their predecessors on their way to honour a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Senegal.

And when they visited the beach, the site where the plane crashed and cast flowers into the surf they knew they will be third time lucky having been runners up in 1974 and 1994.

Runners up Cote d’Ivoire also became the third country to end the Nations Cup without conceding a goal during regulation time after themselves in 1992 and

Cameroun in 2002.
But it was also a shattered dream for Ivorian coach, Francois Zahoui, who was hoping to become the first local coach to lead the Elephants to win the trophy since Yeo Martial in 1992.

A lightening closing ceremony never witnessed in the history of African football with great fireworks, featuring some of the continent’s musical icons including Aakon and the famous Magic System (of Gawu fame) from Cote d’Ivoire perfectly set the stage for a grand final.

And with the presence of world football big wigs of FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, UEFA president, Michel Platini, CAF President, Issa Hayatou, World Pele, as well as President of Benin, Yayi Boni,President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and presidents of the co-host, Ali Bongo (Gabon) and Teodore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, the two teams could not disappoint .

A first minute corner nearly fetched Zambia the opener but the effort from Himoonde Hichani in a crowded “18” was expertly saved by goalkeeper Copa Barry.

But that early challenged was almost immediately repulsed by the fearsome attacking force of the Ivorians led by Chelsea star, Dedier Drogba, as the rain-soaked 40,000 fans, mostly imported from Abidjan yelled.

There was very little to choose between the two by the half hour mark as the locally-dominated Zambians matched the star-studded Europe domnated Ivorian squad.

Indeed, the Chipolopolo only Europe-based player, Emmanuel Mayuka of Young Boys of Switzerland as well as two Asian-based players, Chris Katongo and James Chamanga of China provided the best experience the team needed.

Not even an early setback following a 10th minute injury by defender Joseph Musonda could stop the forward match of the Southern African team.

An apparent infuriated Zambian coach, Herve Renard spotted in his 'lucky white shirt’, yelled constantly at his charges and at point was seen hitting one of them at the touchline.

And the Ivorians big names began to have a toll on the Zambian from the 29th minute when African best player Yahaya Tour wasted a gifted opportunity from a Drogba’s back-hill.

But, that was for a brief moment as the skilful Copper Bullets won the hearts of fans with their sweet free-flow entertaining football.

However, it was Arsenal player Gervinho who posed momentary threat to the Zambia defense at the start of the second half coming close twice, once Drogba failing to connect.

The tempo of the otherwise exciting game dropped drastically at the start of the second half perhaps each realizing the potential of the other.

But moment later the Zambians re-ignited their attack with two succession corner kicks but all wasted. But they kept the fire on, accelerating intermittently in an end-to-end action.

Alain should have given the Ivorians the winner on 88th minute but his final shot from close range missed the upright narrowly. And Mayuka scorer of that lone goal against Ghana in the semi final nearly got for Zambia but his shot was intercepted and the ball flew over the cross bar.

Chris Katongo could settled matters five minutes into extra time but his unlucky to watch his touch ricochet the upright and rolled off.